Enticing the Earl by Christie Kelley

This was a solid addition to Christie Kelley's new trilogy of wise women. I loved how this story centered around the earl, Simon Blakesworth, being in love with his wise woman's daughter, Mia Featherstone, since he was a young man. When he finds her badly beaten one day he gives her shelter and convinces her to marry him in order to protect her. I liked watching his attempts to tell Mia his true feelings for her and how everyone else around him knew, except Mia. However, he is concerned about his past actions will change her developing feelings for him. What he is unaware of is that Mia is holding her own secrets that could change everything.

One thing that was a bit off for me in this book were all the frank discussions between Mia and Simon, and even Mia's mother about some private matters. Other than that, the pacing was well done, the characters delightful, the heat spicy. I'm looking forward to Mia's sisters upcoming story.

Review copy provided by eKensington via netgalley

Back cover:
Only His Passion. . .

With his estate near bankruptcy, Simon Blakesworth, Earl of Hartsfield already has a perilous secret to keep. Still, when he finds Mia Featherstone badly beaten, he doesn't hesitate to shelter her in his home. . .and offer marriage to protect the lovely healer from her attacker. But Mia is concealing a danger this honorable earl never imagined--and can't resist. . .

Can Save Her Love. . .

Mia's valuable discovery on Simon's land saved her patients' lives. Now the only way she can help the man she's always loved save his home is to secretly find the rest of a cache of hidden artifacts. But their passion is making it impossible for Mia to ever walk away--even from a love that may not survive the truth. . .

Review copy provided by eKensington via netgalley

Related books

Tia's story coming soon

Tempting the Devil by Samantha Kane

Lady Harriet Mercer is desperate to be publicly ruined in the hopes that her blackmailer will finally leave her and her son alone.  Already having a loveless marriage she has no plans to enter into another one and if her pristine reputation is ruined, the blackmailer will not accept her and keep her secret just that, a secret.  When she attempts to seduce her old childhood friend, Roger Templeton, she believes she has found the perfect man.  Roger is a devil and has no qualms about ruination...until it involves Harry.  He finds her excuses about who is trying to kidnap her son flimsy and refuses to bed her.  So let the taunting, teasing and plotting begin!  The closer that Roger gets to Harry, the more he sees that something is lurking behind Harry's cheerful facade and he is determined to find out what and help her.  But having been burned in the past by a woman makes him a bit leery of entering into the type of relationship Harry wants and she must find a way to show she is different than everyone thinks her to be.  With the blackmailer closing in, can Harry and Roger find the path to happiness together?

This is the second book I have read by Samantha Kane and it was another enjoyable experience!  I really enjoy her use of subtle wit and smoking heat while dealing with true emotions and putting a fresh twist on a topic used many times before.  Harry was a delightful heroine: intelligent, outspoken, practical, stubborn, shrewd and feisty and she was a perfect match for the kind-hearted, loyal, witty, handsome devil Roger.  Roger is a man with no money and no real connections and sort of makes his way through life on his charming actions but Harry finally makes him realize that he has nothing to offer a woman if he is still searching for himself.  I did think his reasons for trying to keep Harry at bay were a little weak and I wished he would have told her the truth but it all worked out in the end.  Harry, for her part, also could have been more truthful but the truth always has a way of revealing itself in due course and it worked well for this story. Childhood friends to lovers is always a favorite storyline and it was well done in this romance and I am very eager for more from Samantha Kane who has the sizzling, smart, intriguing storytelling down!  4 stars

eARC provided by LoveSwept (Random House) via netgalley

The Saint's Devils
Can be read as standalones but previous characters do appear in following novels

The Damsel and the Devil  Late 2013

A Family Affair by Jennifer Wenn

This was a very lovely romance and a strong debut and start of what is sure to be a lively, romantic series from Jennifer Wenn!  Lady Francesca Darling has known she would marry Devlin Ross, Duke of Hereford, from the tender age of five.  Not having seen him for thirteen years, she still harbors her young crush and when she runs into him again at her debutante ball, her feelings come crashing back and intensify into an adult longing.  Devlin has decided long ago not to marry and be the kind of father his father was to him, cold and cruel but something about Fanny makes him reconsider.  Maybe he can marry and be happy but then tuck her away in the countryside with their children and stay away....or maybe Fanny has her own intentions and will never let that happen.  Watching how this all resolves itself, with plenty of help from her loving, interfering family is a delight to read!

I enjoy stories that have large, lovingly meddlesome families and Fanny is part of a wonderful one!  The first female born in years, she is spoiled and indulged but it has shaped her into an honest young lady with a kind, generous heart.  I enjoyed watching all the interactions between her parents, brothers and uncles and how close they are were with each other.  This is a huge adjustment for Devlin who was an only child and is not used to the boisterousness of a large family.  Even though he has been friends with Fanny's uncle for years, it is still a hard adjustment and he handles it badly at first and it causes quite a strain on Fanny and Devlin's relationship. His fear of being a rotten father is also handled well and I admired how he came to realize how happy he can be as a father and husband and not just as a husband.  Warm, sexy and delightful, I thoroughly enjoyed this romance and am looking forward to more of this wonderful family finding their happily-ever-afters!  4 stars

*review copy provided by author, thanks!!

Book blurb from Goodreads:

Devlin Ross, the Duke of Hereford, has long ago made a vow to himself to break the curse his father has cast upon him by mentally abuse him throughout his childhood by never marry or have a family of his own. But when he meets Lady Francesca Darling, his best friend's merry niece, he can't help himself - he must have her.

Fanny, who fell in love with Devlin when she was a mere five years old in that obnoxious, stalking way only a child can, didn't hesitate when it came to her feelings towards him. She had loved him dearly for thirteen years and would not let her interfering relatives stand in the way between her and lifelong happiness. 

But was she stubborn enough to make him realize exactly how simple-minded he was when it came to fulfilling the vow he once made?

Captain Durant's Countess by Maggie Robinson

From the back cover:
Maris has always been grateful that her marriage to the aging Earl of Kelby saved her from spinsterhood. Though their union has been more peaceful than passionate, she and the earl have spent ten happy years together. But his health is quickly failing, and unless Maris produces an heir, Kelby’s conniving nephew will inherit his estate. And if the earl can’t get the job done himself, he’ll find another man who can…

Captain Reynold Durant is known for both his loyalty to the Crown and an infamous record of ribaldry. Yet despite a financial worry of his own, even he is reluctant to accept Kelby’s lascivious assignment—until he meets the beautiful, beguiling Maris. Incited by duty and desire, the captain may be just the man they are looking for. But while he skillfully takes Maris to the heights of ecstasy she has longed for, she teaches him something even more valuable and unexpected…

I ended up really enjoying this romance even though I am not terribly fond of this particular plotline.  The situation always gets tricky when someone has to hire a man to get a woman pregnant but in the end, it worked very well for Maris and Reyn.  One thing that really did not sit well with me though was Maris's marriage.  She married a man who treated her like a daughter while she was growing up with his daughter...so that was just a bit off for me but I did see the deep caring and compassion she had for him.  I also was not sure how Reyn could turn himself around because when we first meet him, Maris finds him in a most wickedly comprising position but turn around he did.  I really fell for the dashing, confident, wickedly charming captain.  He dealt with the awkwardness during their times together in a good way and with that, opened his heart to Maris.  Maris was also a bit hard to warm up too but I really took to her in the second half of the book when she is finally free to just be herself.

So while the first half of the book was a bit slow and awkward, the second half let Maris and Reyn really discover the true force of their feelings and was very delightful.  There was a nice little twist at the end that seemed to end the whole odd situation in a very positive manner and I also loved the three little epilogues   They just brought a nice smile to my face to see this couple a few years in the future each time.  Plenty of steam and some wonderful secondary characters in the form of Reyn's sister and her beau add to this romance.  Recommended for fans of love growing out of unusual circumstances with heat, fun and no major drama.  4 stars

Review copy provided by eKensington via netgalley

The London List series
This could be read as a stand alone

                                     July 30th

The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle

Catherine Raybourne, Marchioness of Foster, tried to help a friend two weeks after her wedding to Jamie and in the process, got caught in what looked to be a comprising position and it sent Jamie away for five long years.  Jamie refused to look a fool just weeks after his marriage and thought it best to leave than bear the gossip but has decided to return home and try again with Cat, to have an heir.  But after Jamie left after their horrible fight and with no word from him during his five year absence, Cat is not ready to let Jamie back into her heart as it is quite broken and hurt.  Jamie and Cat try to find a way to talk and move forward but sometimes it is hard to let go of the past.  Will they be able to focus on their happier moments and find the love that is still burning between them?

This was an absolute delight of a novella featuring a side character from Leigh LaValle's debut novel, The Runaway Countess (but can easily be read as a stand alone).  It had just the right amount of emotion, turmoil, action and heat to make this a must read for historical romance fans.  The writing is lovely and watching Cat and Jamie find a resolution to their problem was handled well and not overdrawn.  You could really feel for Cat and all her fears for being left high and dry again, especially as she reveals a painful secret, and at the same time you really feel for Jamie and his reluctance to be made to look a fool again.  Tender moments are wrapped together with a little dash of heat and I really enjoyed watching this couple find their way back to each other as you could just see their strong love for each other.  So even though this is only a novella, the story was well developed and thought out and I really enjoyed it.  Yes, I did think it odd that Jamie would just take off and leave for five years with no word at all, but it just worked for me in this setting.  An engaging, romantic tale of forgiveness and love.  4 stars

Naughty in Nottinghamshire
Novella works as a stand alone

                               Coming in 2013

The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella

The Reluctant Countess is such a perfect name for this story! Sophie became the Countess of Monmouth under a bit of a scandalous way. . . just before the death of the Earl, so when she suddenly shows up in society, with a child, people are suspicious and no one more so than Patrick, Earl of Coutler (and naturally, Myles, the man who thought he would inherit the earldom).  He is determined to find out the truth behind the ice beauty and how she came to be so high up in station.  Little does he know how he will fall hard for Sophie and need to have her in his life permanently.

I really enjoyed watching Sophie and Patrick fall for each other.  Her secret is revealed at a time that I really appreciated (not dragged out for the whole story) and it helps move their relationship forward with no pretenses and that was such a nice change of pace!  Patrick is determined and bold, looking for the love and laughter he was denied as the only child of his parents, molded to be the earl only.  Sophie projects herself as cold and aloof when underneath she is strong, caring and willing to do whatever it takes to protect what is hers.  There is a strong sense of family, honor and protection and it adds some wonderful secondary characters that you grow to love as well.  I also liked how the story really just focused on their growing romance but the action came at a time when it was needed to move the story along without overshadowing a wonderful romance.  Patrick is a bit heavy with his pet names, 'my sweet' 'sweetheart' etc, which is just a pet peeve of mine and Sophie also could have been a bit more expressive beyond 'oooh' but it did not detract from the story much for me.  There is also a secondary romance between Sophie's best friend and Patrick's best friend that I wished was almost its own story because I felt like their was so much more to tell about that couple.  Hopefully it will be.  Overall, a grand debut filled with a lovely romance that has the right balance of heat and heart with just a dash of action to keep it interesting.  4 stars

eARC provided by LoveSwept (Random House) via netgalley

Hint of Desire by Lavinia Kent

An Enigmatic Duke . . .

Arthur Alexander DeWolf, the eighth Duke of Westlake, lacks for nothing in life . . . except a woman who will stir his blood for longer than one night. Until fate steps in on his morning ride and he stumbles across Lily St. Aubin, Countess of Worthington.

A Desperate Young Woman . . .

It is on the worst day of her life that Lily meets the imperious duke. Helpless and unable to resist, she has no choice but to trust that this dangerously handsome man will protect her and newborn son. But, as trust begins to grow between them, danger lurks ever closer . . . danger that could destroy Lily. And their newfound love.

I was so excited to see that Lavinia Kent had a new book out and I had to grab it and I'm sure glad I did!  This was a lovely story of a young woman, Lily is only eighteen but she seems much older due to horrible first marriage, finding it within herself to truly love and trust in another man.  The abuse she suffered from her first husband makes this very hard and Arthur is cold and haughty who knows his duty and he feels it is his job to protect Lily and her newborn son and once he makes up his mind to do something, it is done.  But even as his feelings grow for Lily (and he shows more of his softer side), her tentative nature proves to be troublesome and as she reveals more of her past, he struggles with how to show her his true desires without scarring her more.  Also thrown into the mix is a serious of accidents that soon prove to be attempts on her life and Arthur must find a way to protect her, as he will not lose her now.  This was a very moving tale of love and forgiveness, heartbreak and hope.  Watching Lily and Arthur fall in love was a slow ride that could have moved a bit faster if they just would have talked with each other openly but based on Lily's past, I felt it worked for this story.  I admired Arthur and his devotion to this slip of a lady that stumbled into his life and his acceptance of her son as his own.  Lily had so much to overcome and I thought it was handled well.  When she finally told Arthur the whole truth, it was the right time.  A well written (though it has some missing punctuation at times, not that it deterred for the story for me) lovely, heartbreaking romance that will make you smile, laugh and tear up.  Looks to be the start of a grand new series!  4 stars

All I Want for Christmas is a Duke

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Robinson by Delilah Marvelle
I really enjoyed this one!  Lady Jane defied her father and became an opera singer and in the process, started receiving letters from the mysterious Mister X.  Thinking she found the writer, she marries him only to be deceived.  Now, widowed and living close to poverty, she guards her heart and when her childhood friend, Martin Pierce, Duke of Somerset, appears and reveals the truth she is hurt to be deceived all over again.  I loved that shy Martin grew up in the years apart and was determined not to let his love slip away again.  Jane realizes that the younger Martin has turned into a dashing man and is no longer a young boy.  Watching them re-connect was a joy.  This was a enjoyable, fresh (we do not get to see many older woman falling for younger men) holiday novella from the talents of Delilah Marvelle filled with heat, tenderness, humor, heart, forgiveness and a dash of holiday cheer.  4 stars

The Twelve Days of Seduction by Maire Claremont
This is a classic story of a governess falling for her employer and vice versa.  What makes it different is all the details that Maire Claremont adds.  The history of the governess, Adriana Flint is sad and heart breaking but it has shaped her into the woman she is today and she refuses to lose her job to the most wonderful little girl just because the Duke of Berresford has found out her past.  When Alexander proposes a plan for her to stay, she agrees as long as he tries to seduce her...and in the process they both lose their hearts. Adriana helps Alexander see that the lower class are people too and he in turn helps her see that it is ok to let the wall down around her heart and let someone in.  Strong writing, unique details and the hope of the holidays with a nice dash of heat add up to a winner.  Looking forward to her debut full length to see more of her writing!  4 stars

Overall, a lovely holiday treat that will leave you wishing for your own Duke for Christmas with holiday cheer, heat and love.

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Miss Minerva Lane lives her life quietly and recedes to the shadows, keeping the attention away from her.  When she was a child being the center of attention ended very badly for her and it has scarred her for life, physically and emotionally.  Now the Duke of Clermont catches her hiding from a would be suitor and Robert is instantly intrigued by this woman who is quiet yet leaves a mark with her clever remarks.  As Minnie starts to piece together Robert's involvement in a possible workers movement she finds new layers of him and in turn, he starts to peel back the shell that Minnie has so carefully constructed around herself.  But when Robert's brother suddenly becomes accountable for all of Robert's actions, how can Robert help him while protecting Minnie and not revealing all her secrets?

Now, I will start off by saying I am a total Courtney Milan fangirl and I (im)patiently await each new release of hers and the wait for The Duchess War was worth it!  It is so well crafted and written in a way that you just savor each word and you are sad when it is over.  Minnie is determined to keep her scandalous past in the past and she portrays herself as a quiet, mousy type woman but Robert makes her start to hope again, to want to be her true clever, interesting self.  Robert is a refreshing duke.  He refuses to be like his father, cold and expecting everything handed to him just because he is a duke but in the process, his father pushed his mother away (since she controlled the purse strings) so Robert currently has a very strained relationship with her and all he wants is a family to love him.  In the process to prove he is nothing like his father, he tries to right all his wrongs and if that means treating the workers in the factories more fairly and letting them know through handbills, than so be it.  He expects so little for himself that he can not believe that Minnie could ever forgive him for his actions after her previous betrayal.  Together they make a complex yet beautifully simple couple that fit together perfectly.  The ending is sure to tug on your heart strings and I just loved it.  And even though I don't like a lot of history in my romance books, the workers movement information was threaded in in a way that did not overwhelm the story for me and it provided a nice backdrop.  Overall a beautiful, heart breaking romance with humor, love and forgiveness written by one of the finest historical romance authors.  Just lovely.  5 stars

eARC provided by the author, thank you!

The Brothers Sinister series

 
                                     Dec 2012                                2013

Compromising the Marquess by Wendy Soliman

Leah Elliot is devastated by her fathers untimely death and the destruction of their source of income, his rare bookshop.  With her mother dying shortly later of a broken heart, Leah and her sister have to turn to the mercy of her estranged uncle and Leah strives to make ends meet by selling tidbits of gossip.  Knowing something is going on at the local pub, she dons her male disguise only to run into the man she suspects is behind the mysterious doings, the Marquess of Denby, Hal Forster.  Leah becomes privy to some knowledge she wants to share but knows she can not, especially with her budding friendship with Hal's sister...and her budding attraction to Hal.  Instead, Hal grows to trust Leah and shares the truth and just when they think they have the mystery solved, it takes a dangerous turn. . .

This was a very action packed adventurous romance!  It was a bit slow in the beginning for me and did not really grab my attention but the second half really picked up and I loved the twists as I was not expecting them and thought they were really well done!  I really adored Hal and his family and am eagerly awaiting their stories.  Hal was polite, protective and passionate and he was instantly intrigued by the bold, smart, curious Leah and together they found a unique way to explore the passions of marriage without actually compromising Leah.  His spy past comes back in a large way in the end and his love and devotion to Leah became very clear as he is forced to protect her....or does Leah protect him?  Together, they were a great couple who had no big misunderstandings and moved past Leah's earlier gossip posts since Hal talks with her about it and Leah actually admits to her reasons behind what she is doing, which was a refreshing and welcome!  Recommended for fans of adventurous romance with a strong sense of family and a nice dose of heat.  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Carina Press via netgalley

The Forsters series
Three more titles to come!

There's Something About Lady Mary by Sophie Barnes

Mary Croyden grew up with her father, a surgeon, learning all she could from him and is devastated by his death but she is even more stunned by all the secrets he was hiding.  Her father was an earl and never told her, instead choosing to live his life quietly providing medical care.  He made provisions for Mary though in the form of passing his title on to her, along with a fortune, so now Mary finds herself a lady and in the unfamiliar waters of the ton.  Always feeling plain her whole life, she is pleased when a handsome man takes an interest in her and she knows she needs to tell Ryan Summersby about her illegal profession.  However, just as things are heating up, the truth about his interest in her is revealed and Mary is left feeling hurt.  Ryan tries to redeem his blunder and then he learns the full truth about Mary and he has a hard time grasping what she does.  With someone out to steal Mary's fathers journals, with no regards to her life, can Mary and Ryan uncover the secrets that they hold?  Will Ryan be able to come to terms with Mary's daring lifestyle and find a way that they can be happy together?

This was a very enjoyable, fun tale!  I really enjoyed Mary and her determination to do the right thing, not matter what the cost.  Being a female surgeon is highly illegal but she still considers the life of the patient first over her own safety.  I liked seeing a bit about the medical profession without being overwhelmed in the process...it also made me very glad we live in modern times with regards to a simple procedure that just wasn't really done at the time!  Mary is bold, sharp and has quick comebacks for Ryan.  Ryan is just the sort of man you love--kind, smart and generous.  Yet when it comes to Mary, he is a bit of a numskull.  He has no problems with his daring, unique sister but when some of the same characteristics are shown in Mary, he is unable to accept them and it takes a series of missteps to realize the depth of his feelings for her.  I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story, I really did not know who the final villain was (in part due to the fact there were quite a few people in the story and it was a bit hard for me to keep track of them all).  Everything blended together very nicely for me...the mystery didn't overwhelm, the medical aspect didn't overwhelm either.  I could have used a bit more romance as Mary and Ryan seemed to fall for each other pretty quickly, but I did like seeing the Summersby family again and the lovely interactions between them.  Overall, a delightful tale that is a bit unique filled with fun, romance, mystery and love.  4 stars

eARC provided by Avon Impulse via edelweiss

Summersby series
Can be read as stand alones but previous characters are featured
(Nov 20th)

Devil in the Making by Victoria Vane

Every devil has a beginning...and having read the previous DeVere titles by Victoria Vane there is no more charming of a devil than Ludovic, Viscount DeVere and in this short little tale we get a wonderful glimpse of what shaped Ludovic into the man he became.  He is at school with his two friends, Ned and the newly introduced Simon, when his behavior gets them into trouble yet again.  Thinking they will teach their teacher a lesson, Ludovic creates an idea that involves a lion...and is sure to make you laugh with the ridiculousness of it!  Loved it.  You get a nice sense of the bond these three friends have formed and I am very eager for Simon's own story now (Jewel of the East, Spring 2013).  The story even delves into the scandalous history of Ludovic and his parents.  His awful relationship with his father and his lack of a relationship with his mother who left him when he was a child.  It really makes you appreciate and see how Ludovic came to his vices and way of life and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this glimpse of the past.

You should note, as Ms Vane states, this is not a romance but there is some minor heated moments with the lion trainer.  And even in this short tale, approximately 60 pages, you can see the attention to detail of the Georgian period that Ms Vane pours into her lovely writing.  If you have never read anything by Victoria Vane, this is a great place to start as I guarantee you will be eager to see how Ludovic ends up with his happily ever after.  And if you have read the previous stories, you will appreciate this glance into the mind of how the devil came to be...and even at this reckless age, you can see his compassion for others underneath the devil-may-care attitude.   4 stars

Review copy provided by author, thank you!
 

Devilish Vignettes
Each upcoming to be released month to month. . .

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane

Julianna Harte needs money desperately for the foundling home she sponsors so, as the daughter of a reformed thief, she decides to steal her neighbors highly valuable, perfect pearl.  What she does not expect it to get caught by the very naked owner!  Alasdair Sharpe can't believe the cheek of this female, breaking into his bedroom to steal his pearl but he is instantly attracted to her and offers her a proposition...one night in his bed for the pearl.  As Julianna has had a crush on Alasdair, she agrees and break out the fan because these two can burn up the sheets!  However, when Alasdair awakes in the morning and finds both Julianna and his pearl gone he is furious and sets about finding out her identity and reclaiming what is his.  What he does not expect is the blinding passion he feels for Julianna and how jealously turns him into a crazy man....surely it is just not passion that attracts him to this delicate, witty woman?  Will Alasdair be able to move past Julianna's thievery and control his anger to accept the most wonderful treasure to drop in on him?  Or will Julianna's desire to fix her wrongs cost them everything?

This was my first time reading anything by Samantha Kane and I thoroughly enjoyed it (even if a few plot points bugged me)!  The major thing that was hard for me was Alasdair's jealously.  He accuses Julianna of having another lover the day after their encounter, even though he was her first and he just can't let go of the idea she has another man in her life.  And when he sees her crying on another man's shoulders, oh boy!  His anger almost makes his do something regrettable but he, thankfully, comes to his senses in time.  Beyond the insane jealousy, Alasdair was a sexy devil, living life to the fullest, with lots of laughter and passion who meets his match in Julianna.  She keeps herself very plain looking but underneath the unremarkable exterior, she is full of passion and fire with intelligence, wit and charm.  She has a kind heart and wants to help the children as best as she can but Alasdair makes her see her thievery is just temporary and she needs a more permanent solution.  We are introduced to two other 'devil's' and they add some wonderful humor and friendship and I can't wait for their own stories as they seem to have secrets to share. . . There is a bit of action involving the man Julianna sells the pearl to that I enjoyed and I also enjoyed the little twists involving her foundling home.  The chemistry between Julianna and Alasdair is instantaneous and explosive so be certain to have a cool drink handy!  Overall, I really enjoyed this book, even with Alasdair's bossy jealously.  It has action, smoking passion, sharp wit and a romance that blooms under an unusual circumstance.  Samantha Kane has made a new fan out of me for her historical romances and I am anxiously awaiting the next story to see what she comes up with next time!  4 stars

eARC provided by Random House (Loveswept) via netgalley.com

The Saint's Devil's
Tempting a Devil  July 8th (sigh)

Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James

Sir Griffin Barry and Phoebe were married by arrangement fourteen years ago and circumstances did not allow them to consummate the marriage and Griffin disappeared.  It became evident that he left and became a pirate however he is freshly pardoned now for his works as a privateer and returns home to his wife...and her three children.  Now a strong man, Griffin is ready for a true marriage with his lovely wife, even in spite of her evident betrayal.  Phoebe is shocked to see Griffin back home and upsetting her perfectly ordered life and is furious that he thinks her a trollop!  Hopefully a little communication will clear all this up. . .

What a fun novella!  An absolute delight.  It is short yet full of Eloisa James wit and charm and I read this in one sitting.  Yes Phoebe and Griffin fall in love (as they really did not know each when they were married and never really spent any time together) rather quickly.  And yes there is cheating on Griffin's part during his pirate past (which is all off book)...but even with that I really adored this story.  I loved how Griffin reacts to Phoebe's children and I thought he handled the situation remarkably well.  I loved how Griffin did not even know his wife's true name....priceless!  There even is a new bond formed between Griffin and his father that adds a nice warm layer of family.  For 99 cents, you can't go wrong with this one!  A delightful re-acquaintance romance with charm, humor, family, acceptance, romance and a dash of heat.  4 stars

eARC provided by Avon via edelweiss

Fairy Tale series
Novellas are loosely connected to full lengths which are all stand alones
  
 
Once Upon a Tower June 25th 2013

To Love a Thief by Darcy Burke

I have read all of Darcy Burke's full lengths and really enjoyed them and was happy to see she had a novella out and I was quite happy with it!  Jocelyn Renwick sees her late mothers necklace on a lady of the ton while acting as a chaperone at a ball and it spikes her curiosity since it was stolen and never recovered.  With her impulsive, bold nature she asks about the necklace and where it came from and gets a answer that she knows is false.  At the same ball she garners the attention of Daniel Carlyle, former constable and new viscount.  He was mentored about the ways of society since he never expected to be a viscount and the earl that mentors him just happens to be the man that has Jocelyn's belongings.  Not sure who to believe, the earl or Jocelyn, sends Daniel back to his roots in a quest for the truth.  Unfortunately, the truth turns out to be the worse kind and it endangers not just him, but also Jocelyn and the hope for a future together.

As with most novellas, I wish this was just a bit longer so we could have had more time to see the relationship develop between Jocelyn and Daniel but even so, I thought the length was done well.  The instant attraction sends sparks flying and the action keeps this couple coming back together.  Lies are told but truths are quickly revealed as well which I appreciated.  I liked how Daniel has been a constable and inherited a title he never expected to have or want and this is an area I would have liked just a bit more about, but again, it worked well within this novella.  Daniel is smart, loyal and confident and a wonderful foil to Jocelyn and her bold nature. You know who the villain is but how it all unraveled was a delight.  This novella has it all--action, romance, love and passion.  We get just enough glimpses of one of the upcoming heroes and I am very anxious to see how Ms Burke redeems him!  Lovely story for a lovely price.  4 stars

Secrets & Scandals
Can be read as stand alones, best enjoyed in order

Never Love a Scoundrel Winter 2013
Scoundrel Ever After Winter 2013

The Second Seduction of a Lady by Miranda Neville

Eleanor Hardwick lives her life the way she wants and thanks to an inheritance from her late mother, she can.  If she wants to spend money of fancy bonnets, she will.  If she wants to travel, she can.  Yet, being the only child of a recluse father is very lonely so her travels often involve visiting her relatives and trying to help in any way she can, welcome or not.  Eleanor takes one of her young cousins, Caro, under her wing since her mother is dastardly but her life is thrown into upheaval upon a walk when Eleanor and Caro stumble upon a young man and his guardian.  The guardian is Max Quinton, the man who broke her heart five years ago with a cruel bet.  Max is delighted to see the only woman who has laid claim to his heart and he is determined to make rights with Eleanor once and for all so he sets about a slow seduction to win her back.  Unfortunately, he causes more problems as he uses his charge's interest in Caro to gain information and when this comes to light, the damage is done all over for Eleanor.  Will a chase to Gretna Green together be enough to prove that Eleanor is the only one for him?

This novella (which was about sixty percent of my file, the rest were excerpts) is the kickoff to Miranda Neville's upcoming new series and was an enjoyable tale.  When Max broke her heart, it cemented her belief that marriage is not for her, especially after witnessing her joyful mother wilt under her fathers boring lifestyle.  Now, at the tender age of 30 (I loved that she was a bit older than the norm!), she is determined to live a quiet life by herself and she plans to shove Max away.  Max is charming and quiet in his seduction of Eleanor and she finally allows him to explain his side of the bet and together they make great stride to happiness only for it to seem to fall away again.  I really enjoyed the secondary romance that also bloomed between Caro and Robert and as Caro is the heroine for the next book (The Importance of Being Wicked) it has made me very anxious as to what is next for her!  However, since this novella was about Eleanor and Max, I did sort of feel Caro's problems overtook the storyline a bit and I would have liked a little more courtship between Eleanor and Max with just a bit more of their history.  Even in this short novella it has what I expect from Miranda Neville, sharp dialogue, wit, charm, heat and a dash of action.  A great kickoff to what is sure to be an amazing series!  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon via edelweiss

New series (I don't see a series title yet)
Nov 27th  plus three more

Three Schemes and a Scandal by Maya Rodale

Lady Charlotte Brandon had the best intentions when she told Lucy that feathered bonnet was lovely but then it all went haywire and Lucy is now known as Swan Lucy and Charlotte knows she must fix this!  Her scheme is simple, lock Lucy and her old fried, James in the new folly and poof, all will be better because surely they will fall in love.  But the blasted wind blows her scheme apart and suddenly Charlotte is trapped with James.  James who was her dear friend as a twelve-year-old girl but has not spoken to her in eight years after the...incident.  The horribly tragic, yet amusing, incident.  Confronting ensures and an attraction blooms but the thought most prevalent is to get out of the folly undetected so they are not forced into marriage.  Unfortunately, this leads to a new problem that Charlotte is sure she can mend with a new scheme and this one too goes awry.  James, however, sees that this pretty, too clever, devious woman is just right for him and he decides to give Charlotte a bit of her own medicine.  Can James pull of the scheme of the year and show Charlotte his true heart?

This was a quick, fun read and I really enjoyed it!  It is short, about half the file with the rest being excerpts from Maya Rodale's previous and upcoming books, but it worked for me.  We have met Charlotte in the previous books but if you have not yet read anything by Maya Rodale, this is a wonderful place to start to give her writing a try!  Charlotte is a delight-bold, loving, courageous, impulsive and daring...all very unladylike yet hoping for the romantic love she sees her brother has.  She, along with her pet fox, cause havoc all over town yet once James spends a bit of time with her after all these years, he knows she is just perfect the way she is for him.  Even though this is short, we get enough of their shared past to move forward but I would have liked a bit more, as always.  I read this in one night and I eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!  If you need a quick pick me up with a feisty heroine and dashing hero, a runaway fox, and a scheme so romantic it will make your heart melt, this is the perfect novella for you!  4 stars

eARC provided by Avon via edelweiss

The Writing Girls series
Can be read out of order but best enjoyed in order
Oct 30th

The Promise by Kate Worth

When Jane Gray spots a young woman alone in a rough spot of town, she takes her under her wing and ends up sharing her home with her.  When the baby girl arrives a few months later, it becomes clear why the young woman was hiding but her death leaves Jane alone with the baby girl, Pip.  Jane raises Pip as her own as there is no clue as to the real identity of her birth mother. Five years pass and Jane knows she much provide for Pip's future as life can change in the blink of an eye.  Needing to set aside a large sum of money, she decides to sell the only valuable thing she has--a locket from Pip's birth mother.  Little does she know that when she attempts to sell the locket, she will be branded a thief as the owner of the locket is a duke!  Jane decides her best course of action is to try to explain how she came to own the locket straight to the duke and hopefully avoid the noose.  When the truth comes out about Pip's mother, Jane is afraid she is going to lose her forever.  After all, how can Jane, a baker, raise a duke's niece in the life necessary?  And why can't she stop thinking about the duke's brother, Finn?

Lord Fionnlagh Wallace, Finn, has never stopped looking for his missing sister, Maura, all these years that she has been gone.  Fearing the worst, he immediately takes a dislike to this plain woman who has Maura's locket.  How dare she come into his home and try to pass off a child as his niece?  It quickly becomes clear how wrong he is and together with his family, they try to come up with a plan to envelope Pip into her new family without excluding the woman who raised her.  Nevertheless, society always sticks their nose in where it doesn't belong and soon a scandal is threatening to erupt and Finn comes up with a solution that should please everyone. As Jane can not bear to lose Pip, she agrees and hopes for happy marriage with the man that has captured her attention.  Finn also has hopes for uncovering the passion he knows is hiding underneath the quiet face of Jane but it seems they will never find the time to be together alone.  With the revelations about Janes past also coming to light, it soon becomes clear that all their lives are in danger.  Will Jane and Finn be able to survive and confess the true nature of their hearts?

For a debut novel I was impressed.  I loved how the story unfolded...it starts off well with Maura's encounter and never lets go.  I enjoyed Jane's take charge attitude and her deep love and devotion to Pip. The hints about Jane's past are dropped at a pace that you just keep reading because you can't wait to see what will happen next.  The details are tragic and life changing and sure to have your heart racing at the end.  The villain is just nasty and a person that has no heart.  Finn is a charming rake, used to having woman fall all over him so he finds it a bit of a puzzle as to why he can't stop thinking about Jane and her gentle, loving ways...so different from the woman he usually enjoys.  I would have liked to have seen a bit more romance bloom earlier on for this couple, I think it was about half way through the book before they shared their first kiss and longer for them to share their hot love scene.  But even though the romance is a bit quieter than I usually prefer, the story just captivated me.  Right from the beginning where you will be going 'no!' to each new twist and turn and delicious revelation, you will be held within the lovely world Kate Worth has created.  The accepting, loving family, the charming Pip, the vile villain, the charming Finn and the strength of Jane, along with an eye for detail, all blend together beautifully.  Like she states on the cover, this is a love story and for me it was emphasis on the story with the love woven in and I know I am eager for her next novel to see what new delights she comes up with!  Recommended for fans of reunion stories with a strong family base, fleshed out secondary characters, great details and a romance that takes its time to bloom but it is perfect when it does.  4 stars

Review copy provided by the author, thank you because I may have overlooked this one and it deserves to be looked at!!

Midnight Scandals by Carolyn Jewel, Courtney Milan & Sherry Thomas

One Starlight Night by Carolyn Jewel

A wonderful romance about a love thought gone!  Portia and Viscount Northwood shared a brief, passionate affair ten years ago and the ramifications are still being felt today.  It caused deep heartache for Portia and Northwood and also her brother.  But with Portia set to wed a dull man just to escape her maddening sister in law, Northwood can not let his feelings be disregarded any longer.  A wonderfully rounded romance dealing with the difficulties of a second chance romance and great supporting characters (seriously, Portia's sister in law is going to be someone who want to smack!) with a good dose of steam!  I could have used a mini epilogue though but thats just me...love my epilogues :)  4 1/2 stars

What Happened at Midnight by Courtney Milan

This was another wonderful romance about a love thought gone as well but in a totally different vein!  Mary Chartley is forced to take a position as a lady's companion after her fathers death and subsequent revelations about his embezzlement.  To make matters worse, her fiance, John, is one of the men he stole from.  Devastated, she returns his ring and flees saying she has no idea where the money went.  When John should suddenly show up at a neighboring estate of her new position, she is sure he is there to turn her in.  But John sees how subdued Mary has become, he is determined to find out what happened once and for all.  As they find scant time together, as Mary is being 'protected' by her employer and has no time for herself, they slowly find there way back to each other and a very satisfying conclusion to the embezzlement dilemma.  Courtney Milan is one of my favorite authors and she has yet again crafted a romance that is beautiful and deep with an eye for detail that I enjoy.  I may have learned a bit more about drainage systems than I would have liked but it sets the tone for the period very well.  The home at which Mary works is the common theme amongst these novellas are connected and it is obvious the authors communicated well with each other because there are just enough details to tie them together.  4 1/2 stars

A Dance in Moonlight by Sherry Thomas

My review for this will come at a later date as I have not yet read Ravishing the Heiress and I know this novella features a secondary character from that book and I prefer to read books in order :)

For the two stories I did read, I would highly recommend this book!  (And I have no doubt the third will be just as good.)  Each author has managed to craft a complete, well written, highly enjoyable story with equal bits of romance, emotion, steam and with an attention to detail for the time period they are writing in.   I hope to see these authors collaborate together again in the future!

A Lascivious Lady by Jillian Eaton

**This review has some plot spoilers**

First, this story features a cheating heroine but that ugliness is balanced by the fact we have a virgin hero so while it does not forgive the cheating, it adds a new wrinkle to the story.  We have the stunning Josephine, married to the Earl of Traverson-a man devoted to studying bugs.  He is so far different from the bold, fiery Josephine when her father accepts his offer of marriage she is beyond furious.  It does not help matters that she was to be engaged to a duke soon, who wants a lowly, shy, nerdy earl instead?  Especially one that compares her eyes to dragonfly wings and gives her beetle pins as a gift?  Her heart hardened beyond measure, she strikes out at Traverson in the most hurtful of ways--having affairs and not making any secrets about it among the ton.  When confronted face to face with one of Josephines lovers, it goes off with a bang and the couple eventually find themselves thrown together by well meaning friends.  When they share a passionate kiss, the truth about Traverson's lack of experience comes to light and it helps Josephine finally see the light about her actions.  As Josephine is attempting to start fresh, it seems Traverson has finally had enough of her actions and he shoves her away.  But with the help of their friends, can this couple attempt to find happiness and move on from the past?  Or has Josephine damaged her relationship beyond repair?

For a novella featuring a storyline I dislike-cheating, and blatant cheating at that-I was surprised how much I ended up enjoying this romance.  Josephine is a tough woman to warm up too.  She is stubborn, dramatic, bold and bossy and how the sweet, shy Traverson fell for her was a bit of a stretch but opposites do attract, as is the case here.  I do feel like I needed a bit more of their backstory, though.  Parts are just alluded too and I would have liked to have seen something about how Traverson decided that Josephine was the woman of his dreams beyond just her looks.  They barely spoke before their marriage and I felt like it just needed...something more there I guess.  I enjoyed how Traverson stood up to Josephine in the end and didn't just welcome her back into his life when she realized the truth of her heart.  Overall, another wonderful novella from Jillian Eaton and I feel she did a good job tackling a sticky storyline.  It is a story of flaws and forgiveness, heartbreak and hope and most of all, a opposites attract love story.  We get just a teaser for the final novella in this quartet and it looks to be just as good as well!  Grab your ereader and settle in for a treat!  4 stars

Review copy provided by author, thank you!

The Wedded Women Quartet
Best enjoyed in order but can be read as stand alones
 
A Gentle Grace--exp pub in December